AWAC Interview
 

Can anyone give me a run down on the Interview process with AWAC? I will be interviewing in January and would appreciate any input. Some things like HR questions, technical questions... This will be my first airline interview and I don't really know what to expect outside of what I have read on the internet. I have a black suit...Any specfic color shirt to wear with it? All the info I can get will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance.

Don't have any info too help you out...just wondering if you had an internal rec or what your times are..I've been barking up their tree, just trying to get an idea of what it takes to get the call.

Thanks!

Just hit 800 hours. I applied before with about 750 and HR said they couldn't do anything less than 800 and to call back when I had the hours. I called and talked to HR and they will be in contact within a week or to conduct the phone screening. So times for me now at 800 total, 140 multi. CFI, CFII, MEI. I have been instructing for 2 years. Getting bored of instructing and can not wait to advance in the industry. I just turned 20 in Septmeber so I'm a youngin. Can't wait to hear back from them. Good luck!

Cool man..Guess I'll give them a call next week. I sent an email last week and didn't hear anything. I def know how feel about instructing. Hit 1200 dual given not too long ago and it's slowly eating away at my soul.

Good luck with the interview!

Check the Air Wis QOL thread on this board....has PLENTY of info on AWAC. I interviewed two weeks ago and got it.

First 45 min are an overview of the company, etc...Training guy answers questions(HR will give you a heads up and remind you to make a good impression with this guy when he comes in because everything you do there is a part of the interview process).

Tech questions were on an approach plate into AVL...DH, the mins, missed approach, what type of hold. Basic IFR stuff you should know.

Typical HR on why you want to be here, tell me about a time when, etc. Wear a good suit, smile, shake hands and make a good impression. Straight forward interview...normally 4-5 people in a 4 hr period(45 min each). We then were taken for prints, pee test and given offers.

does AWAC have an age requirement? 20 years old?? scary....

Not sure what age has to do with it...

I interviewed there in 2007 and it was the biggest joke of an interview I've ever been to. Prepare, but don't work up a sweat over it. The hardest question I had was how much horsepower was in the 152 I was instructing in...I couldn't recall because I instructed in some with the engine mods. What an absolute joke of an interview.

These guys are spot on. I interviewed start off december and got the job. If you make it to the interview the job is yours to lose. Make sure you say hi to everyone and be nice to the receptionist! They just want to make sure you fit in.

I would say the process is less intense than other regionals but the people and presentation aren't jokes. Laid back but extremely professional.

Stuff like that might be a joke, but they are really just trying to determine if you are someone they want to work with or not and a 45 minute conversation can go a long way to finding out if someone can fit in.

Don't take the laid back interview to be indicative of how the training will be. Training is most definitely not a joke.

No age limit. I've flown with guys who said they didn't find out their FO was under 21 until the overnight, when they went out to the bar to grab a drink. And just to be clear, I'm not bashing anybody for being young in this industry. If you can get your ratings, and your time in by the time your 20, more power to you. The military seems to trust 18 year old kids to fly for them, so I don't see any problem with it.

:confused: Does this happen in the Army with the WOFP? Otherwise - I'm pretty sure there aren't any 18 year olds 'FLYING' the aircraft, though there are some 18 year olds flying 'IN' aircraft. At least I certainly never ran across any :eek:.

USMCFLYR

Yes I'm 20 years old, but I am good at what I do. You can think of people my age as being immature and irresponsible, but I do not fit that category. I got my private in high school and started my instrument right after that. Got my CFI, CFII, MEI at 18 years old. I am just as qualified as most of the people out there. Well maybe not total time... I am working on my degree and will be finished in 2012. But either way, I love the job that I do and can not wait to move forward. I hate when people through the age thing out there... But on a better note, thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it!!

he must not have gotten the job ;)

It sounds like a movie line , but that is a pretty bold statement to make considering much of the company on this board.

Congrats on acheiving so much along the road to professional aviation in such a short time.

USMCFLYR

The reason it may matter is due to the new ATP requirement rules. While I'm not entirely sure how long airlines will have to ensure all pilots have ATPs that may be go/no-go hiring issue. If they have 2 years to get all pilots to ATPs and he is just turning 20 anyone should be able to see the potential conflict....but we are talking about airline management:rolleyes:

People already in will be grandfathered in with the rules. As to the ATP, it's not that big a deal once you're in the airline for those who don't have it. It's not easy, but it's really not much harder than a regular sim check with a few more items included.

If (big IF) the new rules are actually implemented it will be a game changer. I'll believe it when I see it.

As for low time pilots? I've flown with a bunch of folks recently who are pretty low time (less than 1000 total) and they are terrific. Enthusiastic, well-trained, smart, etc. Just what they should be.

I pick on our company a lot, but they do a good job hiring new pilots.

Yeah, the guys in my interview group were sharp guys. Not arrogant at all..I'm ready to get goin w/training!

Did you just call HR?? Ive applied twice and am sitting at 1700 total and 270ish multi. Flying 135 freight, no failed checkrides... still cant get a buzz from anyone. No skeletons in my closet either.. Not sure what to do anymore.. seems like guys with alot less time are getting calls left and right; and with no internal recs. This job is frustrating sometimes... thanks for letting me vent.

it has everything to do with it. the kid has 800 hours too. its not enough. its the same view i had when kids were getting hired at 250 hours a couple years ago. like i said, scary......

you can take yourself off the pedestal now.....

There's guys with 2,000 hrs that are scary. 800 isn't a fresh comm ticket and 250. Read Saab's post on the recent hires under 1,000 hours. Good pilots...

Wags.... I know of NO branch who have in the past 30 years allow 18 year old KIDs to fly for them...Not ARMY, Not NAVY, Not Air Force, Not Coast Guard.... I am gonna call Bovine Waste on that one..and to go one step further I will say that most young men and women in the Military are Screened for Flight Training better than the Civilian world. Reading through this thread I noticed the individual is very confident about his/her ratings thought confidience is a trait that is desirable in a pilot we should be careful we dont get too cocky...

800's better than 250... And you're coming off as pretty arrogant yourself. I mean, if he gets through training, who's to say he's not better than you or me? Again- 250 hours is scary, but he put a good 500 in since leaving the training environment. Ideal, maybe not... but certainly far from "scary." And that's just talking about the flight time, I still fail to see how a 20 year old is inherently not safe. Sounds like someone might be a little jealous... :rolleyes:

Okay Im sorry guys, I re-read my post and I did come off as cocky. But, I have people all the time approach me about my age, like some students that sign up for a training program who are 40 years old and find out im 20 and say no way, he is too young. They don't understand that I have a passion for flying and know more than they may think. I have signed off over 10 students in the last 2 years for private, instrument, and commercial checkries who all passed the first time. No one knows that becuase they don't give me a chance. It is very frustrating. I may not be the best pilot out there, but I make smart choicesand I am VERY safe when it comes to pre-flight planning and in-flight choices. I work with an instructor that is over 50 years oldand has been instructing for about 6 months that bounces the plane every time he lands, and will fly until the thunderstorm is on top of the airport, yet people will still fly with him because he has a white beard so he must be the best. It sucks sometimes but I know it will pay off when I get an airline job sooner or later. Maybe not this one or the next, but it will happen. Thanks for all the input.

While they may be 18, I would not call them kids. At 18, they are old enough to join the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard and put their life on the line. If we consider them old enough to make that kind of decision then who are we to judge whether a 20 year old is old enough to fly for an airline? Age is just a number. I've know 18 year olds who were more mature than 40 year olds and I've flown with 800 hour pilots that were better than 8000 hour pilots.

That's too bad, I'm 22 and a CFI/CFII/MEI as well and teaching at a very good school and I haven't had that problem, I believe our oldest full time instructor is 24 as well so I suppose the alternatives are not necessarily there for someone that would allow age to blind them. I have had nothing but praise on my training, from my students, boss, FAA examiners, and that's all you need to know you're doing a good job. Don't let anything get to you, as long as you know you're doing a great job and people tell you, then you're fine.

It's always fun when I tell my students I was an instrument rated private pilot before I got my drivers license. Priorities in order a bit :rolleyes:

On topic, I have heard that the interview is about 20-30 minutes long of which 80% of it is more HR questions.

Sir, Sounds like to me that your just jealous of this young man. You hate to think that he is only 20 years old, and has 800 hours and is ready to venture into the airline world. Age has absolutely nothing to do with it. Is it our fault that there are people like JoeyyD9590 myself and others who have a real passion for aviation, and started early right from HS ?? What makes him any less qualified then the people who will be interviewing with him? That have the same hours but 5 years older. You need to deal with it and grow up !!!

Good luck with the interview. The only thing you should be concern is not the flight time, your age or anything else...but if you get hired you'll have a major problem finishing that degree. (probably not even finishing it at all)

I'm 23, I was able to get interview in eagle back in 2008 with 20 years and 300hrs, but my degree was first (just like you 2 more years to finish it at that moment), for 3 years I worked my butt flying banners, 135 cargo and flight instructing at the same time, plus extra flying outside with a couple of friends. Finally got hired at eagle 3 months ago.

Everyone got tired of flight instructing, but you have to take priorities in your life. Your degree is what will make you go into the majors, why? because is a requisite in almost every major. So...you have 2 choices now:

1. Get the interview and start flying for AWAC. (very tempting)
2. Finish your degree by 2012, have it in your pocket and then by that time for sure you will be ATP, probably some 135 experience IFR or VFR, doesn't matter. Get a regional job (by the time you will be 23) and by 30 years old you will be in a major.

The shortage start in 2012, so you will have no problem at all getting a job in any regional, even you might be close to your home.

I think you're young and that's why you can take the advantage of wait 2 years. ;) You're qualified and have good experience, but you need to learn a little bit more. Get your flight time, stop flight instructing and get some commercial experience.

It's your choice but think about your long term future, not your immediate future.

Happy 2011.

I got an interview coming up very soon, they gave me a number to list myself for standby, except the number doesn't work, or at least I cannot get though to anybody.
I called the HR, and left a message with no response, emailed about an hour ago.

What gives?

i agree with fsu pilot 1725 total only 120 multi and an atp and my phone is not ringing . I know my multi time is low but guys with a lot less TT no atp and the same multi are getting calls Eagle said i wasnt competitive ???

They're still on holiday, but back tomorrow.

I'm really not sure what it takes either. I'm at 1300/100, been barking up their tree since Sept with 1150/80, two internal recs, multiple updates of my resume and emails, and still haven't heard a word! :confused: Hopefully should have an interview set up with Eagle tomorrow, though.

I hear ya buddy.. Ive been applying to regionals since the hiring spree of 07 when i had a fresh commercial and they were hiring guys with that. I didnt get picked up so Ive been building time ever since. It just seems to be a huge crapshoot. Like I said.. it is frustrating, soo hit or miss whether you get a call or not. Also, I know its a little disheartening to see others with quite a bit less time than you getting a call; it still is for me. Especially when this guy just hits the 800 minimum and then gets an interview (good for him though). CRAZY!

Hears another story.. two friends and I have been applying to regionals full force lately. None of us got a call from anyone till two weeks ago, when both of them got an interview at Skywest. Not me though. Similar times and quals all the way around.

ha oh yeah.
Sorry got it figured out. I was freaking out a bit. didnt want to miss the date.
:eek:

Military Pilots
 

I am currently in the military (Army) and have been flying fixed and rotary wing for the past 10 years. The Army will let 18 year olds fly depending on when their birthday falls after high school graduation. We in the Army call it "high school to flight school." I will say this, however, by the time a recent high school graduate finishes with Warrant Officer School they are approaching 19 and by the time they finish the flight program they are approaching 20. Long story short, the Army does let really young people into the flight program.

Some of the attitudes expressed here are why I so rarely post on online aviation forums.

I'd much rather fly with a guy with low experience that has a good attitude and is a sharp learner than some bitter "mature" adult that has nothing better to talk about than his despise for the industry or his jealousy of someone who accomplished the same thing in less time. It's also why I avoid crew rooms. If you don't like it, get out.

I have opinions about low time pilots, but who cares. It doesn't matter what they are since I'm not the one doing the hiring. If you're at AWAC you were most likely hired because they thought you'd be a good team player and not someone people cringe at when they get their pairings. What changed? If you don't like the job don't take it out on your fellow coworkers. It's about respect. That low time pilot might one day end up your chief pilot 10 years down the line. Then what?

Does anyone know which approaches they have you look at during the interview? Also, do they ask questions about your current aircraft that you fly?

Seems like I briefed an arrival into DCA, nothing too tough. Follow the line and read the numbers basically. I wasn't asked any systems questions, I think others guys were though. Couple holding scenerios was about it for technical. Mainly all HR questions. Approach it with a smile on your face and show them you're happy to be there. Half our class is starting sim this week, the rest of us are still on paid vacation, and in the meantime most all of us became line holders.